The measure (SB 626) was unanimously approved by the Senate Rules Committee on Monday.

The bill would expand the authority of Florida's public schools to discipline students for cyberbullying done through use of a school computer, at the site of a school-sponsored activity or on a school bus.

Sen. Dwight Bullard, the bill's sponsor, said teachers and school administrators need the ability to protect students from online attacks.

The bill defines "cyberbullying" as harassment through the use of computers, technology or electronic communications.